Rules
COMPETE FAIR.
COMPETE SAFE.
A clear, competitor-focused guide to EMAC tournament scoring, divisions, safety requirements, conduct and event procedures.
EMAC's primary goal is to provide a Safe, Fair and Motivating Environment in which competitors can test their skills.
Protective equipment requirements apply by division and age.
Referee procedures and scoring standards are clearly defined.
Zero tolerance for unsafe or unsportsmanlike behavior.
Tournament Rulebook
Select a section to view the rules, or use the search box to quickly find a specific requirement.
Must compete in gender of birth.
No refunds! However if an exception is granted then 75% of the total fees paid will be applied as a credit towards the next EMAC tourney in the calendar year.
- Must compete in gender of birth.
- No refunds! However if an exception is granted then 75% of the total fees paid will be applied as a credit towards the next EMAC tourney in the calendar year.
- 2 competitors or Tie Breaker – Referees will call for show of hands.
- There will be no deduction for the weapon touching the floor.
- All competitors will perform, track performance. Then bring back up for scoring. Cannot repeat your top 4 numbers.
- If Weapon dropped or fumbled, score with mistake as part of your scoring.
- Gymnastics, acrobatics, splits or other freestyle type movements not allowed. Full uniform required.
- Judging based on difficulty and execution.
- Music required and must be provided by the competitor.
- 1 inversion required in CMX Forms and 1 inversion or release of weapon required in CMX Weapons. Full uniform required.
- Judging based on difficulty and execution.
- Flag Sparring 1 min rounds (will be one referee).
- You can capture flags if competitor goes to ground.
- No wrists or finger locks.
- If a flag accidentally falls out judge will put it back in and reset match.
- Whoever gets all 3 flags, or the most, by the end of time wins.
- If tie at end, sudden death.
- Padded Swords 1 min rounds (will be one referee).
- Must wear helmet and faceshield.
- Legal target areas: Legs, arms, back, core/trunk, shoulder, and head (not eyes or throat). No groin.
- MUST have both hands on sword to score.
- No single hand grabs.
- All techs 1 pt.
- Maximum points at end of time or 10 point spread.
- 2 min or 10 Point Spread whichever comes first.
- Face shield mandatory for ages 17 and below. Adults headgear is required.
- All Kicks 2 Points, All Hands 1 Point, Jump Kicks to Head 3 Points.
- Legal target areas: front & side torso, all parts of Head allowed, except palm taps to top of head.
- There will be a 10 second time out for coaches in all age divisions.
- One Coach allowed to sit in chair and coach.
- Chest Protectors highly recommended for ages 17 and below.
- MMA gloves not allowed.
- Footgear must cover toes.
- Sweeps are allowed only to back of calf or below of the front leg followed by attempt to score.
- Trapping is allowed for 1 second followed by attempt to score.
- If two judges can’t agree on a 1 or 2 point for the same competitor then 1 point will be awarded.
- If no one in division; competitor will do an exhibition match agreed by referees and still receive EMAC points.
- Uniform and belt required.
- In all Sparring divisions bowing out in the first round is a disqualification from the division.
- Center referee can go straight to disqualification if needed with majority of referees vote.
- Juniors 17 and below: 1 round only– 1:00 min.
- Adults 18 and up 2 one minute round with 30 sec. rest period in between.
- Chest Protectors are MANDATORY for ages 9 & Below.
- Face shield mandatory for ages 17 and below. Adults headgear is required.
- Head/face contact is light.
- NO HANDS TO HEAD allowed for ages 17 and below.
- Kicks and punches allowed to head/face and front/side torso; except ages 17 and below. No leg kicks.
- There will be a 10 second time out for coaches in all age divisions.
- One Coach allowed to sit in chair and coach.
- Winner will be determined by a show of hands at the end of time.
- Up to 3 hand strikes are allowed in a fury, then either a disengagement or kicks required. Ref can/will separate.
- MMA gloves not allowed. Footgear must cover toes.
- Winner will be determined be general ringmanship, strikes landed both kicks and hands, and aggressiveness.
- Uniform and belt required.
- NEW If center ref feels at any point the match is one sided or uncompetitive, they can call both referees and a majority decision can be made stop the match and announce a winner.
- Center referee can go straight to disqualification if needed with majority of referees vote.
- Safety first.
- Single elimination. One 3 minute round submission only.
- If no submission, then overtime first takedown wins.
- Referee can call “tap” for competitor safety.
- Only above waist submissions allowed.
- No slams allowed.
- No jumping guard and no jumping on back.
- No standing submissions allowed.
- No neck cranks or pick up slams from guard.
- No throws on head allowed. Competitor will be disqualified for any deliberate throws on head.
- For Ages 6 & Below: positional grappling only. Submissions not allowed.
- 1 point for each position. Ie: controlled takedown, top mount, side control, back mouth.
- Total points at end of time or 10 point spread whichever comes first.
- 2 technical fouls allowed per event to any person in the building. 2nd technical foul they are kicked out of the building.
- Protests: Protests can be requested up until awards are given out.
- Protests may or may not be granted.
- Usual protests are: weights verification, birth certificate verification, skill level verification, and points tabulation error.
- Judges/refs calls or non calls cannot be protested.
- All competitors will be held to the highest standard of excellence. There will be zero tolerance for unsafe or unsportsmanlike behavior.
- No Negative Coaching will be allowed at anytime.
- No person may step into a ring unless their student or child is injured or invited by Center Referee.
- No acts of Vulgarity, Profanity, Violence or Extreme Outward displays of anger will be tolerated.
- Safety will be our first priority, excessive contact will not be allowed.
- Referee decisions are final. If you feel any rules have been violated, you can ask the center referee or ring coordinator for clarification.
- Competitors must have proper equipment and uniform as defined in the rules and subject to EMAC approval.
- Only competitors and officials are allowed on the competitor floor. Spectators are to remain seated in the stands so everyone can watch.
- Violations may be treated with disqualification from the division in which the person is competing in and possible Disqualification from the current and any future EMAC Event and or a request to leave the event. In extreme cases law enforcement will be called and charges pressed.
- Lastly, have a great attitude and support your fellow competitors. It’s a sport and have fun!
SAFE. FAIR. MOTIVATING.
Our primary goal is to provide a Safe, Fair and Motivating Environment in which a competitor can test their skills. It is through our example of Excellence that we can achieve our goal.